Category Archives: work

a Royal Park cake

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The P&ID section of our team was awarded by the Project team as People of the Month last month and got some cash gift. Wanting to share their gift with the entire (insert project name) Process team, they bought a cake from Royal Park Hotel confectionery for everyone on the team. Knowing how expensive Royal Park Hotel is, I know this cake is expensive. Alas though, it’s very SINFUL for me – one because of the RICH cream filling and second because of the peanuts on it (which may cause allergy for baby later on). But, I have to show solidarity with the team so I ate my share as well (hehehe excuses). My progress is good so far this week with regards weight gain control and it’s only once in a blue moon that I consume peanut so I’m hoping it will not harm baby (since books say only “excessive consumption”).

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In the background is my 15year old calculator which I really consider a treasure. Teehee. 😀

work, charms, baby bed

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The scope of our department in the current project i’m involved in right now was initially set to be finished around September. The schedule could have been in perfect timing for my pregnancy leave. But we’re still swamped with work so our team’s involvement would probably stretch to December. Ergo I have to handover the handling of my unit to another colleague for him to take care of the remaining deliverables.

This same colleague was very thoughtful in that when he went back to his hometown over the long weekend last week, he bought me a charm from the most famous Shinto Shrine in his hometown in Fukuoka – Kushida Jinja 櫛田神社.

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This is an omamori, specifically an anzan kigan no omamori 安産祈願のお守り. In English, a charm for safe delivery (anzan = safe delivery, kigan = wish, omamori = charm and no in this case means of. The sentence structure is very different, yes).

I’m a Catholic and Hubs a Christian. We don’t lean on Shintoism at all. But if one wishes you the best in his/her religion, isn’t it heart-warming? 🙂

So now I’m carrying the charm around in my bag.

He gave it yesterday by the way. I had to confirm with Hubs the name of the jinja haha.

Then last night, one of our purchases from last weekend’s shopping was delivered.

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Thank you Otosan! 🙂

This will be how it’ll look, sans the futon and beddings.

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I hope I can make baby’s bed prettier than the one above. 🙂

Brad Pitt in our HAZOP

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HAZOP “season” again. And what with the other deadlines piling up, i’ve been having long nights at the office the past couple of days; making up for the other deliverables after a whole day in the meeting. A colleague said i’m a “tough worker”, said his pregnant wife – just two weeks behind me on our baby’s due – already gave up working late.

But i’m able to do the feat because there’s lots to be thankful for.

Thankfully, I have the energy to work just when I needed it. My pregnancy fatigue came early last week just when I wasn’t too loaded yet.

Thankful because Hubs has been really helpful and supportive. When I told him last night I was tired, he readily agreed we take the taxi going home. Mind you, taxi rates here in Japan are really high, especially late at night. And our home is quite far from the office.

When I also told Hubs my back was aching (pregnancy related) and I couldn’t find a good sleeping position that could alleviate the pain, he readily rubbed my back until the pain ebbed. Thankful.

Thankfully, the HAZOP for one of my compressors is done already.

Oh yeah. I’ve mentioned before how our meetings have celebrity look-alikes. This time, we have a Brad Pitt look alike in our HAZOP. Didn’t swoon over him, because after all, I have a husband who himself looks like a celebrity (hehe, dare to object???). But what I really liked with him was when he tried to make some small talk with me. I was expecting that his personality would be like that of a playboy or charao in Japanese. But no. When he talked with me, he asked about the dynamic simulation we did. Serious work stuff. Other women might be disappointed. But I guess I liked the fact that I’m talking intellectual stuff with an absolutely celebrity-looking person.

Going home now and meet my celebrity looking husband. 😀

the happy pregger

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Receiving a warm email on a Monday morning is like a harbinger to a great workweek ahead. And when topped off by a surprise work of art, featuring you no less, you’re sure to start the week beaming with positivity.

From an esteemed mentor-friend, all the way from Houston, David Coyle. From the man who reminds me of the Bible adage

to one who has, more will be given.

Indeed, not just gifted with intellect and wit and sportsmanship, but with talent as well! Care to agree with me? 🙂

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The caption of the email (which I plagiarised here as the title of this post hehe) surely equates with the big smile on my face. And as I reflect, yes, I sure am a happy pregger. Indeed. 🙂

I love how my pregnancy badge was included in this watercolour painting.

Thank you David for this. Most importantly, thank you for the time you spent in doing this. This will not be forgotten. 🙂

sakura dori

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After a hard rain, it always is a beautiful day the day after, making today’s walk to office even lovelier what with the blue skies highlighting the sakura trees, that has blossomed in its prime, lining the whole Sakura avenue in front of the office. And this week is even lovelier what with the sakura petals falling, as if it’s snowing with pink and white petals.

Our office, masked with sakura blooms.

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